First death anniversary of a prolific Buddhist writer

The country sadly lost an eminent Buddhist scholar last year. The first death anniversary of A.G.S. Kariyawasam, fell on the 27th December, 2005. He was editing Buddhist publications while working earnestly to popularize buddhist literature was a dedicated employee at the Buddhist Publications Society in Kandy at the time of his sudden demise.

Ven. Bhikku Bodhi, President of the Buddhist Publications Society wrote thus: "On December 27, 2004 the day after the tsunami disaster struck Sri Lanka, another disaster stuck the small world of Buddhist publishing in this island-nation. The prolific Buddhist writer and Editor A.G.S. Kariyawasam passed away at his home due to heart failure." (D.N. 27.07.2005).

The quiet service rendered by Siri Kariyawasam to popularize Theravadha Buddhism in Sri Lanka is highly commendable. Mr. Kariyawasam, who was an old boy of Mahinda College, Galle was a brilliant student who won gold medals. He passed out from the University of Peradeniya with second class honours in 1959.

Then he taught for a few years at St. Anthony's College in Baddegama where he met his future wife. Subsequently Kariyawasam joined the International Buddhist Encyclopaedia (under then Ministry of Cultural Affairs) as an Assistant Editor and continued for 26 years until his retirement in 1991 as the Deputy Editor-in-Chief.

Following the retirement, he joined the Buddhist Publications Society in Kandy as the Editor in both Sinhala and English publications.

A number of quite valuable books were translated into English from Sinhala by late Kariyawasam such as Hinduism and Buddhism (Volume 1 & 2) by Charles Elliot and A History of Indian Literature (Volume 3) by Windernitz.

Also, Sattanupassana by Ven. Matara Sri Gnanarama (The Seven Contemplations of Insight) and Paramitha Prakaranaya by Ven. Rerukane Chandavimala (Analysis of the Perfections) were translated in to English by him.

He also held the editorship of the 'The Buddhist' journal published by the Colombo YMBA during the period of 1978-1986. He has also delivered a number of talks under the title "The Word of the Buddha" programme of the Sri Lanka Boradcasging Corporation. He was well conversant in Saskrit and Pali languages too, in addition to Sinhala and English languages.

He wrote his own book 'Buddhist Ceremonies and Rituals of Sri Lanka and translated a poetry book from Sanskrit into Sinhala on Goddess "Ushas" in Rigveda by the name 'Prabha Devi'. The number of articles and poems written by him, published in various newspapers and journals etc. including a number of special articles on Mahayana, exceeds 400 in number.

A quite appealing and informative article titled "Trees: Our Friends and Partners" even won international acclamation. His translation into English of Jinapanjara became very popular in Thailand and is being widely used at Thai Viharas with deep love and devotion. He was seriously concerned about the sad status of the Kandy Lake and the articles written by him on this subject drew immediate attention of the authorities.

Kariyawasam contributed more than 70 interesting articles to the Buddhist Mirror column of the Daily News during a period of three years and this was continued until the day of his passing away at the age of 71. His writings brought him fame than any other writing he did and brought commendable response from readers including clergy even of other religions.

These articles were greatly appreciated by the Buddhists all over the world. Readers worldwide sought answers from him not only to their questions relating to these articles but also to other questions they were seeking answers in Buddhism.

His last book Pase Nadee was a valuable collection of all the rarely heard interesting incidents in detail of the life of King Kosala found in Buddhist Atuwas and Suttas. This Atuwas book was published posthumously by the Buddhist Publication Society.

Kariyawasam was a popular teacher at the "Samadhi" English medium Dhamma School at Wattarantenne Place, Kandy.

He kept rendering an invaluable service all through his life for the establishment and popularization of the essence of Theravada Buddhism in this country without seeking any gain or publicity.

While contributing an immesurerable silent service he also led an exemplary family life, a devoted husband to his wife Daya Swarnalatha, a loving and most caring father to his two daughters Vasundhara and Ashvinee he was also the much loved grandfather of his two granddaughters.

May the highest benefit of his service to Buddhism yield for the peace of today's world and the homage he deserves for that undying service grow day by day!

We wish him all the peace and happiness in the journey of Samsara and at the end the Supreme Bliss of Nibbana.

A.F.